Lippe-Detmold

The Principality of Lippe-Detmold was a small but ancient German state that existed from 1123 until the dissolution of German monarchies in 1918. It was ruled by the House of Lippe, when Bernhard I received territory from the Holy Roman Emperor and got the title "Lord of Lippe". Simon V became the first ruler to style himself as a count, and the Counts of Lippe were granted the title "Prince of the Empire" in 1789. The state was divided into smaller counties throughout the 17th and 18th centuries due to familial disputes. By 1836, the total population was 91,000 (including 22,000 able-bodied adults), of which about 80% were literate and the vast majority being Catholic, with just under 5% being Protestant. The upper house of the Landtag was dominated by the Conservative Party of Lippe, with the other two major parties being the Liberal Democratic Party and the National Party. The Lippe Army (Lippische Armee) included the 1st Lippe Infantry Brigade (3,000 men), commanded by General Florian von Oldenburg.